The folks producing the popular reality TV show “The Apprentice” have discovered Gonzaga University. But not for the reason you might think.

Auditions will be held Thursday for a number of graduates of area colleges and universities, said Jill Goslicky, casting director with Mark Burnett Productions, the Los Angeles firm producing the show.

Gonzaga was invited to find promising “Apprentice” candidates because it has an active alumni office in Seattle, said Goslicky.

“I’ve heard the theory that it’s because of their basketball team. It’s not,” she said.

“We’re not casting a sports show, so what their team does has nothing to do with it,” said Goslicky.

Auditions are taking place nationwide for the fall season of the show, which features entrepreneur and hotel magnate Donald Trump.

The coming season will be filmed in Los Angeles for the first time, said Goslicky.

Several other schools’ alumni will be competing for spots at next week’s audition. Goslicky said she sent invitations through the University of Washington and other universities, including Harvard Business School’s Puget Sound chapter.

This fall’s “Apprentice” won’t be limited to college alumni. The production company learned three seasons ago that using alumni programs was one source among several in finding good candidates, Goslicky said.

Those who finally end up being chosen need either a strong academic record or an impressive business career, combined with a charismatic personality. “It’s trite, but what we want is the total package. Let’s be honest, we are casting a TV show, so personality definitely matters,” she said.

Gonzaga Assistant Alumni Director Kara Svennungsen Hertzsaid the school e-mailed notices to about 9,000 alumni across the region. Response has been fairly heavy, she said. “We’ve been answering questions (about it) since we sent out the notice,” she said.

The audition location and time will be announced soon and can be found at GU’s alumni office Web site, said Goslicky.